This guide will explain how you can watch every event at the Tokyo Paralympics even if you don’t have cable. We’ll explain how to watch live and on-demand and even have a table with every event, along with when and where you can watch.
How To Watch The Tokyo Paralympics Live: NBC has the broadcast rights to the 2020 Paralympics (happening in 2021) and will have events airing on NBC, and NBCSN, along with repeat coverage on NBC’s streaming platform, Peacock. However, the easiest way to watch is through the NBC Sports app. You just need a TV provider that carries those NBC channels like FuboTV (7-day free trial) or Hulu Live TV (signing up). Your account with those streaming services will unlock all Paralympic events on the NBC Sports app.
Watching Replays Event: Replays of past events are available on the NBC Sports App. You need to log in with credentials from a TV provider that carries channels airing the Paralympics, but your login from live streaming services like FuboTV (7-day free trial) or Hulu Live TV (signing up) will work.
Watch The Paralympics on the NBC Sports App
The easiest way to watch The Paralympics is by using the NBC Sports app. All the events are available in one place for you to watch live as they happen. Furthermore, replays of events you missed are available on the NBC Sports Network App. However, you will need access to a streaming service that carries those networks to log into the app and get access to watch. The NBC Sports App is supported on Apple iOS & tvOS, Android, AndroidTV, Amazon Fire TV, Contour, Contour Stream Player, Roku, and Chromecast. Follow the steps below, and you should have no problem watching all three weeks of the Paralympics.
- Use a Free Trial to a Service that carries NBC Sports Channels. Those are:
- FuboTV – offers a 1-week free trial.
- Hulu Live TV – Offers a 1-week free trial.
- DIRECTV STREAM – Has a 5-Day free trial.
- YouTube TV – offers a 1-week free trial.
- Go to the channel store or app store on your device. On Roku, it’s called the “Channel Store.”
- Search for the NBC Sports app
- Add the NBC Sports app to your device and then open it.
- Go to “Browse” on the menu to the left of the screen. Under “All Networks,” navigate to the “NBC Sports App” and press the OK button on your remote.
- Using a computer or mobile web browser, you go to https://www.nbcsports.com/activate.
- You will then be asked for a TV provider and a username/password. If you subscribe to fuboTV, select “fuboTV,” then enter your login and password for Hulu.
- Once you sign in, your TV screen will refresh after a minute or so. One the app is started, click over to the left hand menu and go up to the top and make sure “Tokyo 2020” is selected instead of “NBC Sports app.” This will provide live and on-demand access to all Paralympic events.
Watch The Paralympics Free
Each of the following streaming services carries NBC and NBCSN. They all offer at least 1-week of free viewing, so you can take advantage of the free trial or refund period for each to watch the entire Paralympics. You just need to cancel your service before the free trial expires and then pick up another service’s free trial. You can juggle the services like this to watch every Paralympic event airing on NBC-owned TV Networks.
fuboTV offers over 100 live channels, including NBC and NBCSN. They offer a fuboTV subscription, which you can cancel within the trial period and not be charged. If you stay on after the trial, the cost is $74.99. You can cancel at any time. Pay every three months, with no long-term contract. FuboTV will also stream events in 4K resolution in the following markets:
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX
- Boston, MA (Manchester, NH)
The service supports iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, and more. The price includes a cloud DVR and the ability to stream on 3 devices at once. (see our review of FuboTV)
Hulu Live TV offers over 60 live channels, including NBC and NBCSN, at the cost of $69.99 per month after a 1-week free trial. As with fuboTV, service is month to month with no contract, and if you cancel within your free trial period, you will not be charged. The service supports iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, and more. The base price includes a cloud DVR, and you can stream on 2 devices at once, but the option to upgrade to unlimited streams. Hulu Live TV includes Hulu streaming library. (see our review of Hulu Live TV)
DIRECTV STREAM offers over 130 channels, including NBC and NBCSN, in their “Entertainment” plan for a price of $74.99 per month. The service supports Apple TV, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and most modern web browsers.DIRECTV STREAM offers a 5-day free trial when signing up. (see our review of DIRECTV STREAM)
YouTube TV offers NBC and NBCSN with three simultaneous streams and a personal cloud DVR. All this comes with a price tag of $64.99 per month. YouTube TV supports Fire TV, Android, iOS (includes airplay to Apple TV), and Chromecasts/Chromecast-compatible TVs. YouTube TV offers a free trial, with no long-term commitment. (see our review of YouTube TV)
Paralympics TV Schedule
Below is the full NBC, NBCSN, and Olympic Channel TV Schedule for the Tokyo Paralympics. However, all of these events can be streamed live through the NBC Sports app.
| Date | Time(ET), Network | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Tues 8/24 | 7-10a, NBCSN (Live) | Opening Ceremony |
| Tues 8/24 | 7-10p, NBCSN (Re-Air) | Opening Ceremony Re-Air |
| Tues 8/24 | 10p-3a, NBCSN (Live) | Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Cycling (Track), Swimming |
| Weds 8/25 | 3a-9a, NBCSN (Live) | Wheelchair Rugby, Cycling (Track), Swimming |
| Weds 8/25 | 3-9p, Olympic Channel (Re-Air) | Re-air: NBCSN AM Show |
| Weds 8/25 | 8p-3a, NBCSN (Live) | Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Cycling (Track), Goalball |
| Thurs 8/26 | 3a-9a, NBCSN (Live) | Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball, Cycling (Track), Wheelchair Rugby |
| Thurs 8/26 | 3-9p, Olympic Channel (Re-Air) | Re-air: NBCSN AM Show |
| Thurs 8/26 | 9p-3a, NBCSN (Live) | Track & Field, Wheelchair Rugby, Cycling (Track), Goalball, Wheelchair Tennis |
| Fri 8/27 | 3a-9a, NBCSN (Live) | Swimming, Track & Field, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Judo |
| Fri 8/27 | 5:30-9:30p, Olympic Channel (Live) | Triathlon, Track & Field |
| Sat 8/28 | 12-3a, NBCSN (Live) | Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby |
| Sat 8/28 | 3a-9a, NBCSN (Live) | Swimming, Track & Field, Goalball, Wheelchair Basketball |
| Sat 8/28 | 5:30p-1a, Olympic Channel (Live) | Triathlon, Table Tennis, Rowing |
| Sun 8/29 | 1a-8:30a, NBCSN (Live) | Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Tennis, Swimming, Track & Field, Rowing |
| Sun 8/29 | 12-1:30p, NBC (Taped) | NBC Daytime Show |
| Sun 8/29 | 7-8p, NBC (Taped) | NBC Primetime Show |
| Sun 8/29 | 9p-3a, NBCSN (Live) | Wheelchair Rugby (Re-Air), Table Tennis, Wheelchair Tennis |
| Mon 8/30 | 3a-9a, NBCSN (Live) | Swimming, Sitting Volleyball, Track & Field, Wheelchair Basketball |
| Mon 8/30 | 3-9p, Olympic Channel (Re-Air) | Re-air: NBCSN AM Show |
| Mon 8/30 | 9p-3a, NBCSN (Live) | Wheelchair Basketball, Road Cycling, Sitting Volleyball |
| Tues 8/31 | 3a-9a, NBCSN (Live) | Swimming, Cycling (Road), Track & Field, Wheelchair Basketball |
| Tues 8/31 | 3-9p, Olympic Channel (Re-Air) | Re-air: NBCSN AM Show |
| Tues 8/31 | 9p-3a, NBCSN (Live) | Swimming, Track & Field, Wheelchair Basketball, Cycling (Road) |
| Weds 9/1 | 3a-9a, NBCSN (Live) | Swimming, Track & Field, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Tennis |
| Weds 9/1 | 3-9p, Olympic Channel (Re-Air) | Re-air: NBCSN AM Show |
| Weds 9/1 | 9p-3a, NBCSN (Live) | Track & Field, Cycling (Road), Table Tennis, Wheelchair Tennis |
| Thurs 9/2 | 3a-9a, NBCSN (Live) | Swimming, Track & Field, Wheelchair Basketball, Cycling (Road) |
| Thurs 9/2 | 3-9p, Olympic Channel (Re-Air) | Re-air: NBCSN AM Show |
| Thurs 9/2 | 9p-3a, NBCSN (Live) | Track & Field, Canoe/Kayak, Cycling (Road), Wheelchair Tennis |
| Fri 9/3 | 3a-9a, NBCSN (Live) | Swimming, Track & Field, Wheelchair Basketball, Goalball |
| Fri 9/3 | 3-9p, Olympic Channel (Re-Air) | Re-air: NBCSN AM Show |
| Fri 9/3 | 10p-3a, NBCSN (Live) | Track & Field, Wheelchair Tennis, Canoe/Kayak, Sitting Volleyball |
| Sat 9/4 | 3a-9a, NBCSN (Live) | Track & Field, Wheelchair Basketball, Sitting Volleyball |
| Sat 9/4 | 5:30-9:30p, Olympic Channel (Live) | Marathon |
| Sat 9/4 | 8-9p, NBC | NBC Primetime Show |
| Sat 9/4 | 9:00p-3a, NBCSN (Live) | Wheelchair Basketball, Sitting Volleyball |
| Sun 9/5 | 7-9a, NBCSN (Live) | Closing Ceremony |
| Sun 9/5 | 7-9p, NBC (Taped) | NBC Primetime Show |
| Sat 9/11 | 3-5p, NBC (Taped) | NBC Daytime Show |
| Sun 9/12 | 1:30-3p, NBC (Taped) | NBC Daytime Show |
Paralympics Coverage on Peacock
Peacock is another way to catch some Paralympics coverage, but you will need the “Peacock Premium” tier which Starts at $5.99 per month. Peacock will only air weekend coverage, and it’s redundant if you already have a way you can watch the Paralympics on the NBC Sports App (or NBC and NBCSN.) Below is the Paralympics Streaming Schedule on Peacock:
(all times Eastern Standard)
- Sunday, 8/29
- 5—7am | Wheelchair Rugby Final
- 12—2pm | Recaps and Highlights
- 7—8pm | NBC Primetime Coverage
- Saturday, 9/4
- 7—8:45am | Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Gold
- 5:30—9:30pm | Marathon
- 8—9pm | NBC Primetime Coverage
- 9—11pm | Women’s Sitting Volleyball Final
- 11:15pm—1am| Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Gold
- Sunday, 9/5
- 7—9pm | NBC Primetime Coverage
- Saturday, 9/11
- 3:30—5pm | Recaps and Highlights
- Sunday, 9/12
- 1:30—3pm | Recaps and Highlights
Watching The Paralympics on Peacock
You can stream Peacock’s Paralympic coverage on your TV or mobile device. The streaming service supports Roku, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple T.V. 4K and Apple T.V. HD, Xbox One S and Xbox One X, Playstation 4, Android devices, Android TV, Chromecast, and Chromecast built-in, Xfinity Flex 4K and Amazon Fire TV or Fire Sticks. Follow these steps to install Peacock on your device:
- Subscribe to a Peacock using this Link.
- “Search” your devices app store or channel store for “Peacock”
- Select the streaming service and press “OK.”, “Install” or “Download” depending on your device
- Peacock is now installed on your Roku. Open Peacock, and log in with the credentials you used to subscribe to the service. Search for “2020 Paralympics” and watch.
If you need more information, see our review of Peacock for more details.
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